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Simply put, this model must be seen in person to be fully appreciated. I enjoy what custom car artisans can do to a familiar automotive shape and better still, to a car that we may not have considered as cool. Such is the case here, at least with me. Not being on my top 10 favorites list, the ’57 Studebaker Golden Hawk, from whence this little cherub was spawned, seemed like just another diecast in the sea of, ‘I’ll add that one to the collection later’. Now, faced with the Custom version, I have to rethink my position.
I don’t have a plethora of DM customs but I do have more than 6 of them so I must like the look that DM builds into some of their regular issues. What they did to the standard ’57 Chrysler 300 when they slammed and shaved that goodie, is nothing short of automotive magic. Sitting next to it, the ’57 Studie Custom looks like a chip off the old block. You will first be drawn to the paint. This is the first ‘Mint’ production 1:24th to entertain the use of Standox color-shifting paint. Made famous in their 1:18th scale offerings, Exoto has used several varying Standox shades. Here we have a blend of hues that morph from red and bronze to yellow-gold and purple and almost everything in between. But as that draws you in it’s the shape and stance of this wild child that will captivate you. Called the Hawk II, the car model is as fresh in today’s world of customs as a Chip Foose or Boyd Coddington design. The small block V-8; plumbed and wired as if by a drag racer, is covered in a 21st century tech cowling and air bridge in matching exterior paint. The dual pivoting hood, made necessary to clear the air scoop bridge when closing the hood, is cut open to allow the snorkel to peer over the steeply dropping off hood line. The photo-etched grillwork is cool. The radically chopped top and slammed stance of the car are heightened, visually, by the massive five-spoke wheels set in low profile tires. Tires, by the way, that feature flame tread patterning. Way cool! The dual exhaust exits through the rear bumper and the gas filler door opens.
Inside DM treats us to a billet aluminum steering wheel, fashioned from photoetched metal. The seats and door panels are a luscious cream and white. The rear shelf contains photoetched stereo speakers. Photoetching can also be seen used as brake rotors as they turn within the disc calipers. Yeah, this car model is so far out it’s in. Guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. It is based on some older technology so I can only grant it a 4 out of 5 rating on the drool meter index. The issue price is $115.
(04/16/2004)
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